Author's notes.
Set in the USA, originally this submission was going to be the first submission a series that followed the protagonists over many years, not so sure now. It centres around a very unsuspecting husband, a wanton wife and an unscrupulous boss. So, if cheating, marital infidelity and cuckolding isn't your thing then don't read on. Don't know which way this submission will eventually play out, but here goes.
Chapter One: A Drive to the Airport 2003
It was Tuesday morning 7.30 am. Sally Webster drummed her fingers along the top of the black steering wheel of their rundown Honda Odyssey. Stopped at traffic lights she impatiently she dipped her head to look up under the sun visor. Frank, her husband, sat beside her.
Barely ten seconds passed before Sally began to vent. "Oh, for Christ's sake. Come on change..."
They were heading to the airport. Sally was taking a flight to Vegas where she would be attending a four-day Warehousing and Distribution Expo. This was to be her first trip accompanying her boss. It was all new to her and so she was both nervous and excited. Sally and Frank were both employed by Zanetti Logistics, Sally as a PA to the COO, Peter Zanetti, and Frank as a long-haul driver.
Sally's four-day attendance to the Expo didn't bother Frank - why would it, he had no idea of the real purpose behind her trip, namely a three-night fuck fest between his wife and their boss. Not knowing any other PA, Frank guessed that travelling with the boss was part and parcel of the job. He had no idea his wife had played him. Sally had excitedly told her husband that she had been asked to attend the expo, saying how she had been given responsibility for making the travel arrangements, organising meetings, and booking the accommodation. Her presence, she had said, was required in case there were any unexpected hiccups. She was also responsible for ensuring that all documents and literature that would be needed, were in order, and were as up to date as they should be.
To Sally's delight Frank had bought it all, hook line and sinker. He had no idea his wife was his boss's office eye candy; that his wife was a woman into which his boss would daily sink his cock or have her swallow a belly full of semen. Frank was the archetypal unsuspecting husband, and in being so he took pride in the fact that his wife Sally was doing well in her new job. She was flourishing, proving herself, she was succeeding and 'he liked' that 'she liked' her work, he liked that she was happy - if he knew the half of it. Sally would come home from work, so full of herself and be so enthusiastic when it came to telling him about her day. He was genuinely pleased for her - especially has he could remember how nervous and unsure she had been when she first started.
***
When interviewed, Sally had been the youngest and least experienced applicant, at 22 she was barely settled in the typing pool. She was the only applicant who was already employed by the company and though she didn't say so to Frank at the time, she figured that was the only reason she got an interview. With this in mind she hadn't been that disappointed when she wasn't successful. Truth was, along with the other applicants, she'd enjoyed a nice lunch with her crush - and being ambitious she had gone into the interview process thinking of it as a useful learning experience for the future. Sally figured if she handled herself well it might stand her in good stead.
Then, six weeks later, when the person who'd been initially appointed backed out, Sally was summoned to Peter Zanetti's office. As she had waited, she was handed a notebook and told that as they were short staffed and she knew shorthand, she was to take the minutes for an impromptu meeting. At the end of the meeting, she would take the notebook to Mrs Zanetti's PA who would type up her notes.
The next day when Sally was summoned back, she instinctively thought she'd done something wrong, that her notes were ineligible. She was therefore surprised to find herself taken into Mrs Zanetti office, the CFO and mother of the COO Peter Zanetti. When she sat down Mrs Zanetti asked if she was still interested in the post of PA to the COO, her son - subject of course to a six-month probationary period.
Sally was over the moon and immediately said yes. It was a huge promotion. Not long after the nerves and self-doubt set in - what if she couldn't handle it, what if she wasn't good enough, what if she screwed up, what if she ended up looking stupid... What if she ended up getting fired.
Thinking she'd made a big mistake, the first few days she'd come home and tell Frank how she thought she'd done this wrong or done that wrong or messed up one thing or another. He felt for her.
***
Luckily help was soon at hand in the shape of Janet, Peter Zanetti's previous PA who having retired, had agreed to come back for two months to show Sally the ropes.
The first thing Janet did was congratulate her young charge on her appointment, explaining that simply by being appointed a lot of trust had already been placed in her. Taking Sally under her wing, Janet reassured and helped build the young woman's confidence while explaining the ins and outs of the job. Telling Sally, she literally had to be all things, that her time would not be her own - but her priority, and Janet drove this home - Sally had but one function, and that was to protect her boss. Explaining that as Mr Zanetti's PA she would be 'the gatekeeper', people who wanted to get to him, to his office and to his time would have to go through her. So, it was important that she sieve out and shield him from any unwanted and unnecessary distractions - her goal was to ensure he could do his job.
Janet warned Sally that people would try to take advantage of her 'newness', they'd try to pull rank -- and it was up to her not to let them. She had to be strong-willed and forthright, she shouldn't allow herself to be intimidated or to be taken advantage of, especially by those she might think were above her, including other directors and senior management. She answered to one person and one person only, Mr Zanetti.
Janet told Sally that if she stood her ground, she'd soon gain the respect of others, albeit begrudgingly. Janet then whispered conspiratorially, "If people are wary of crossing you, your job will be a lot easier, so don't be afraid to be a bitch and bite back if you have to, and don't be afraid to put people to the back of the queue if they act disrespectful... It wasn't Sally's job to be popular and she shouldn't worry about having to be nice. But, at the same time, where she could, she should foster friendships, relationships and alliances that would be advantageous, "Get people indebted to you."
Janet made sure Sally understood that during her working day it was inevitable she would become privy to lots of sensitive and confidential information, information that could be damaging if it leaked. Explaining that as a PA Sally will always in the background, and will see and hear things she can never repeat to anyone, not to her friends, her colleagues, not even to her husband.
Janet had noticed Sally's husband also worked for the company. This surprised Janet who assured Sally she must have impressed because normally a family tie like that would have barred her from such a post. Loose talk leads to rumours and rumours once started spread like wildfire.
"So", and making a zipping of the mouth gesture, she smiled, "Keep schtum.
Then Janet told Sally of more delicate matters, the requirements of the job which she may, or may not, find disagreeable.
"Sally" she said, "You will, by necessity, also be privy to Mr Zanetti's private life, you will know all about his coming and goings, has his PA where you can, you will need to know where he is and who he is with at any time of day, and how to contact him. So, your discretion will be essential, expected, and relied upon. You must not gossip, must not tell tales."
Janet had then laughed as she tried to look serious when she said. "And believe me, Mr Zanetti gets up to a lot that perhaps he shouldn't..."
Sally asked what Janet meant.
Janet grinned. "Shall we say that as a bachelor, Peter Zanetti leaves quite a turbulent wake behind him, disgruntled husbands, upset boyfriends, and more than his fair share of angry women who'd hoped they'd be the one to land him... You'll have to deal with them all, hopefully with diplomacy."
Janet explained how Sally must again act as a gatekeeper as well as a silent accomplice, even booking hotel rooms and dinner reservations. Then, going to the office safe Janet produced a literal little black book that she handed to Sally.
"This book contains names, addresses, telephone numbers, job titles, details of spouses, essential info, guard it with your life. Most of the names are friends and ex-girlfriends, but some, at the back, let's just say they are providers of 'personal services' that Mr Zanetti occasionally makes use of."
Janet grinned. "Don't worry. On the occasion Mr Zanetti does require the 'company' of a female companion he will normally make the arrangements himself. But there will be times when you might find yourself having to make a call on his behalf, you understand what I'm saying?"
Sally nodded she understood, inside she thought it funny. "Are they hookers?"
Janet tutted, "I wouldn't let them hear you call them names."
Janet then smiled. "Good..." Then laughed, "Now for the downside... At times you might not want to, but you may find yourself having to be economical with the truth, or even to tell an outright lie, often to people's faces."
Janet chuckled. "I've been called quite a few names in my time I can tell you." This was followed by a nudge. "On the plus side, Mr Zanetti will always have your back."
***
